U.S. patent application number 11/150946 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-11 for system for monitoring activities and location.
Invention is credited to Robert J. Clow, Dragan P. Petrovic, Lee D. Tice.
Application Number | 20070008111 11/150946 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37570992 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070008111 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tice; Lee D. ; et
al. |
January 11, 2007 |
System for monitoring activities and location
Abstract
A residential monitoring system incorporates both physiological
sensors and activity sensors. Some of the sensors can be in
wireless communication with control circuitry. One or more activity
profiles can be established for a resident to expand upon and
supplement information from the physiological sensors.
Inventors: |
Tice; Lee D.; (Bartlett,
IL) ; Clow; Robert J.; (North Aurora, IL) ;
Petrovic; Dragan P.; (Geneva, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
101 COLUMBIA ROAD
P O BOX 2245
MORRISTOWN
NJ
07962-2245
US
|
Family ID: |
37570992 |
Appl. No.: |
11/150946 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/539.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 128/904 20130101;
G08B 21/0423 20130101; G08B 21/0484 20130101; G08B 21/0469
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/539.12 |
International
Class: |
G08B 1/08 20060101
G08B001/08 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: at least one sensor of a physiological
condition of an individual; at least one sensor of activity of the
individual; control circuitry coupled to the sensors, the control
circuitry evaluates sensor activity of the individual as well as at
least one sensed physiological condition of the individual and,
responsive thereto, determines the presence an abnormal
condition.
2. A system as in claim 1 where the control circuitry includes a
communications port, the port provides at least unidirectional
communications between the control circuitry and a displaced
device.
3. A system as in claim 2 including circuitry to transmit
information relating at least to sensed activities from the
communications port.
4. A system as in claim 3 where the control circuitry includes
software to evaluate the sensed physiological condition of the
individual.
5. A system as in claim 3 where the control circuitry includes
software to evaluate sensed activities of the individual.
6. A system as in claim 5 where the software establishes at least
one activity profile for the individual.
7. A system as in claim 6 where sensed current activities are
compared to the profile.
8. A system as in claim 3 which includes a manually operable
indicator of absence of the individual.
9. A system as in claim 8 which includes software to evaluate the
presence in or absence of an individual from a region.
10. A system as in claim 6 which includes a plurality of activity
sensors.
11. A system as in claim 10 where members of the plurality are
selected from a class that includes at least acoustic sensors,
fluid flow sensors, motion sensors, position sensors,
communications sensors, orientation sensors, exercise equipment
usage sensors, at least one sensor of presence/absence of an
individual from a region.
12. A system as in claim 7 where the control circuitry include at
least one of a personal computer, or a residential monitoring
apparatus.
13. A system as in claim 12 where the control circuitry
communicates wirelessly with at least one of the sensors.
14. A system as in claim 10 where the control circuitry
communicates wirelessly with at least some of the sensors.
15. An in-residence monitoring system comprising; at least a first
sensor that monitors a physiological condition of a person and
provides a first signal; at least a second sensor that monitors at
least one of appliances, doors, utilities, movement, locations of a
person within the residence and provides at least a second signal
indicative of activity of a person; an interface for transferring
the first and least second signals to local control circuitry, the
interface includes a processor and software to at least in part
analyze sensor signals; and an interface for transferring
information to and from at least one remote unit where the control
circuitry provides information regarding at least one of activity
or physiological condition of the person.
16. A system as in claim 15 where the second sensor responds to at
least one of motion, contact, sound, vibration, or vision.
17. A system as in claim 15 where the appliances include at least
one of a refrigerator, stove, microwave, washing machine, dryer,
house current monitor, television, or stereo.
18. A system as in claim 15 where the doors include at least one of
a drawer, cabinet door, residence interior door, or residence
exterior door.
19. A system as in claim 15 where the utilities include at least
one of a toilet, bathtub, shower, sink, or faucet.
20. A system as in claim 15 where the movement is sensed by use of
at least one of a contact, light beam, passive infra-red sensor,
position sensor, proximity sensor, or device carried on the
person.
21. A system as in claim 15 where the second sensor can be
associated with furniture such as a monitorable chair.
22. A system as in claim 15 including a display device of at least
one of text, pictures, drawings or graphs.
23. A system as in claim 15, where the at least a second sensor
comprises an orientation sensor to track horizontal or vertical
orientation of the person.
24. A system as in claim 15 where the at least a second sensor at
least in part determines the location of a person outside the
residence using a global positioning system.
25. A system as in claim 15 where sensed activity is compared to
historical activity.
26. A system as in claim 15 which includes software to establish a
plurality of activity profiles for a person.
27. A system as in claim 26 which includes further software that
evaluates a current activity profile relative to a respective,
established activity profile.
28. A system as in claim 27 which includes additional software,
responsive to results from the evaluating software, to initiate
communications with a displaced location.
29. An activity evaluation system comprising: a plurality of
activity sensors; software, responsive to at least some of the
sensors for establishing a plurality of activity profiles; and a
plurality of stored activity profiles.
30. A system as in claim 29 which includes activity profile
evaluation software coupled to the stored activity profiles.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains to residential monitoring systems.
More particularly, the invention pertains to systems that sense
and/or evaluate activity information relative to at least one
resident.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Known in-home monitoring systems at times combine scheduled
sensing of physiological parameters of a resident with an exchange
of information to a remote location. At that remote location, a
monitoring person, or agent, may assist the resident through
messages. Many of the known systems only measure predetermined
physiological parameters of the resident. This is only a partial
indication of an individual's health.
[0003] A resident may not realize when his/her behaviors are
contributing to a potential decrease in health. Furthermore, many
health related issues of the individual may not be included in the
query that the individual answers. Thus the resident's health may
be degrading without it being detected by the remote monitor. In
addition, even if an abnormality is detected, it may be difficult
to determine the reason--even if a nurse is called to visit the
resident later.
[0004] There is thus a continuing need to be able to better assess
the health of individuals whose activities of daily living may be
impacted by one physiological condition or another. Preferable much
functionality would be compatible with and integralable into an
upgraded in-residence monitoring system. It would be further
desirable to be able to create and maintain an activity profile.
Such a profile could exist as an averaged activity representation
or an individual's activities. Alternatively, it could exist as a
plurality of different daily activities.
[0005] Further, it would be desirable to take into account the
comings and goings of a resident. In known systems where a
displaced monitor can make calls to check on the condition or
status of an individual, a failure to answer can be a cause for
concern. Thus, it would be preferable to be able to advise the
displaced monitor as to the presence or absence of the respective
individual from the residence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with the
invention; and
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of additional details of the
system of FIG. 1
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawing and will be
described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments
illustrated.
[0009] Embodiments of this invention overcome a deficiency known of
types of systems that rely upon the resident to provide the
information accurately indicating his/her condition and success in
the following of plans. The activities of the resident can be
monitored to see if they are consistent, or "normal". What is
established as "normal" can be based upon the prior healthy
activity history of that person. It can also be customized for the
residence. The advantage of this system is that a health care
professional visiting to provide care can be aware of the
activities of the resident and can use that information to assess
the health status of the resident.
[0010] Some of these normal activities can include the use of
bathroom facilities, use of kitchen facilities, entertainment
equipment, or movement from one location to another.
[0011] A variety of in-residence activities can be sensed to
determine if a person is healthy and/or in need of a call or visit
and associated care.
[0012] Possible activities that can be sensed include: [0013] 1. A
resident's daily use of bathroom facilities and significant
deviations therefrom that may indicate a health related problem.
The bathroom facility monitoring can also include sensors that
indicate whether the person is standing by or sitting on a commode
and for what durations. Additional sensors can provide more
information about the situation. [0014] 2. A resident's use of
water sources in the residence may be indicative of a potential
hydration problem for the person. Flow sensors or other types of
sensors can be included to monitor water consumption. Sensors can
take into account the use of bottled water or water sources not
attached to plumbing. [0015] 3. A resident's use of the kitchen
facilities can be sensed relative to proper consumption of food and
their particular consumption pattern(s). This can include
monitoring the stove, refrigerator, microwave, garbage container,
and storage compartments/drawers. [0016] 4. A resident's use of the
entertainment equipment on a normal basis. This can include
monitoring the changing of channels on the TV, using a radio, etc.
[0017] 5. A resident's exercising is part of a normal routine. The
exercise patterns or equipment can be monitored for amount of use
and duration. [0018] 6. A resident's time spent in one room in a
chair can be monitored. Motion sensors or position sensors can
track movement. [0019] 7. A resident's use of the cleaning,
washing, or other facilities indicative of good hygiene can be
monitored. [0020] 8. A resident's communications patterns including
use of the telephone or other outside communication devices can be
intermittently or continuously evaluated.
[0021] When a resident significantly deviates from normally
expected activities within predetermined time periods, then a
system in accordance with the invention could initiate a
communication with the resident to encourage activity. Such action
by the resident could be as simple as responding to the system.
[0022] If a communication exchange or response activity does not
occur, a monitor or automatic call could be placed to the residence
to check on the resident's condition. This call could also be
incorporated into the query call that may be scheduled at
predetermined times. This call could query the resident on concerns
over their activities and enable the resident to respond prior to
scheduling a personal visit.
[0023] Many factors can lead to inactivity including pain and
depression. A person in a depressive state may answer a telephone
query as being OK. However, lack of activities would cause concern
and may provide a more accurate indicator to systems that embody
the present invention.
[0024] Measurement devices can include acoustical sensors, contact
sensors, motion sensors, position sensors, water flow sensors, all
without limitation.
[0025] Acoustical sensors can detect sounds of activity in a
kitchen or bathroom. Each activity can be expected to have a unique
sound pattern that the system recognizes. For example, the
amplitude/frequency sounds of water running, voices (with and
without stress) or television, drawers opening/closing, doors
opening/closing, toilets flushing, exercise equipment operating and
the like can be sensed, without limitation. If a medication
dispenser is equipped to emit a predetermined sound pattern when
opened/closed, the medication taking activity could also be
monitored.
[0026] Motion sensors could be located throughout the residence.
They not only provide information as the movement of the resident
but they also give indications that more than one person is in the
residence. If motion is detected in the bedroom and kitchen
simultaneously, then it can be determined that at least two
occupants are in the residence. That can provide information to
caregivers or others on an automatic calling list that are remotely
monitoring the resident and indicate a problem if only one person
is expected to be in the residence. Likewise, if motion is detected
at 3 a.m. and several other times during the night, it may indicate
the resident is experiencing a problem.
[0027] Sensors may be carried by the resident to indicate
physiological condition as well as position, such as whether he/she
is lying down or standing or sitting. This can be accomplished
using at least one position sensor. If a person is lying down in an
area of the residence that does not contain a bed or sofa to
accommodate lying down, then a problem may have been detected. If
the resident remains in a lying down position for longer than an
expected time, then it may also indicate a problem with the
mobility and associated activity of that resident.
[0028] In an other aspect of this invention, a global positioning
system (GPS) monitor could be carried by the resident for
exercising or activity outside the residence. The GPS can monitor
movement and location. If a resident has a problem with memory and
finding their way to the residence, then they can be tracked and
located. If the resident is leaving the approved perimeter of a
residence, an alarm can be sounded.
[0029] Activity information can be accumulated in a central unit in
the residence, analyzed, and a report forwarded to a remote
location relative to the activity of the resident for any period of
time, day and night.
[0030] The in-home system can also be equipped with an input that
the resident can activate when leaving the home so the monitoring
system doesn't go into an alert due to a failure of the resident to
respond to an automatic query at a scheduled time that day. This
provides freedom for the resident to schedule other necessary
events that may have him/her out of the home at the pre-scheduled
query call time.
[0031] The monitoring system can incorporate a push-button switch
or other device that the resident can activate when leaving the
home so system status is "out-of-home". When an automatic query is
initiated by a monitoring station or other part of the system, a
message can be sent to the central station that the resident is
"out-of-home" and to retry at a later time without generating
alerts or follow up calls. In addition, the "out-of-home" setting
can automatically active an "out-of-home" message for phone calls
incoming to the home.
[0032] When the resident returns, the resident re-activates the
system as "in-home" or the system automatically recognizes their
return (sensors in home) and switches the system back to "in-home"
operation. At that time, the monitoring station can reinitiate the
query that was missed by the resident being out of home.
[0033] If the time the resident is going "out-of-home" is very
close to the prescribed medication or query time, then the system
could request that the resident perform the monitored function(s)
prior to leaving. If the home is equipped with monitors that can
identify that the patent has left the home, then that monitor could
hold a system alert until a later time.
[0034] If the resident is leaving the home, the person could input
an estimated time of return and the system will reschedule the
query/alert until after the estimated return time.
[0035] In another aspect, a central unit or computer could use
voice recognition to converse with the resident prior to leaving
such that the system resets the time of a query. If the resident
will be visiting a relative or vacationing, then the "out-of-home"
setting may include new location information that the query cold be
re-routed to. In some cases, the query could be conducted by a
monitoring person if the monitoring equipment is not available at
the new location. It may further incorporate date/time information
that the new location will become active incorporating travel time.
Likewise, the new location may be used to provide information as to
when the "in-home" setting will become active upon a return to
home.
[0036] If there is significant variation of actual return to
"in-home" from "out-of-home" programmed times, a call be generated
to relatives or other authorized persons to notify them of this
variation. The resident could alter the estimated time of return to
"in-home" when "out-of-home" by using a phone, which can include a
cell phone, and a personal code.
[0037] A log of "in-home" and "out-of-home" dates/times can be
maintained in either the local system or the central monitoring
system
[0038] If the system is set by the resident as "out-of-home" but
sensors detect the resident as "in-home", the system can instruct
the resident to reset the system to the correct setting or
automatically reset the system. If authorized persons are in the
home, a cleaning service or maid for example, while the resident is
absent, alternate methods can be used to disregard or overcome the
outputs of sensors as previously described.
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 in accordance with the
present invention. System 10 can be incorporated into a residential
facility or a residence having one or more rooms or the like used
by a resident.
[0040] The system 10 provides a plurality of sensors which are
associated various facilities within the residential area. For
example and without limitation, system 10 can incorporate a
vibration or flow sensor 12a which could be associated with a
commode C for sensing flushing thereof.
[0041] One or more motion sensors 12b can be located throughout the
residential area to provide feedback as to movement of the resident
in the area. One or more sound sensors 12c could be located
throughout the residential area which could respond to both verbal
and non-verbal audio indicia indicative of a resident's
condition.
[0042] System 10 can also incorporate one or more position sensors
12d which could provide position information relative to the
resident. At least one such sensor could be carried by the
resident.
[0043] Additional sensors could include one or more door sensors
12e which could indicate opening or closure of a respective door D.
Additionally sensors 12f could be mounted on a plurality of cabinet
doors to provide feedback as to when the residence is accessing the
respective cabinets. The cabinets could store medications,
groceries, clothing, towels, bedding or the like all without
limitation. Other sensors without limitation could be installed and
used to sense whether other equipment or facilities routinely use
by the resident such as entertainment (television, radio or the
like), stove, refrigerator or kitchen sinks is being used and if so
when.
[0044] Additionally, a present/absent or in/out indicator can be
provided by a manually operable unit 14. The unit 14 can be located
adjacent to the door D and can include a button lever or the like
which is triggered or operated by the resident as he or she goes in
or out through the door D.
[0045] The unit 14 provides feedback to the system 10 that the
resident has left the area. A subsequent signal can be generated
upon the return of the resident to the area.
[0046] Sensors 12, unit 14 as well as other sensors and
communication devices, such as telephone T can be in wired or
wireless communication via a medium 18 with a local monitoring
system 20. It will be understood that the details of the monitoring
system 20 are not a limitation of the present invention.
[0047] Each of the sensors associated with the system 10 such as
12, 14, telephone T as well as sensors associated with other
equipment or facilities of the residents can provide feedback via
the medium 18 to the monitoring system 20 which are indicative of
the activities of the resident. Such activity can be accumulated by
the system 20 and analyzed to provide feedback and/or information
via wired or wireless link 22 to one or more remote locations. The
remote locations can be associated with relatives, neighbors,
friends as well as a staffed monitoring station. The system 20 can
be in wired or wireless communication with a plurality of
physiological sensors S1 . . . Sn which can be worn or carried by
the resident during daily activities.
[0048] Processing by the system 20 can provide feedback via the
link 22 as to ongoing daily activities being undertaken by the
resident. A variation from expected normal activity levels can
cause a prompt to be communicated by a link 22 to system 20, or can
cause the system 20 to generate a prompt via link 22 to one or more
remote locations relative to the deviation from normal expected
activity.
[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates in block diagram form an exemplary
embodiment of the system 20. System 20 can incorporate a
programmable processor 30 and associated control software 32. The
software in combination with the processor 30 can respond to
signals from the various sensors 12, 14, telephone T, S1 . . . Sn
as well as other types of sensors to create a plurality of activity
profiles A1, A2 . . . An indicative of expected or "normal"
activity of the resident. Such profiles can be retained in a
memory, disk drive or optical memory 36 in a data base which can be
searched and analyzed.
[0050] The subject data base can be analyzed on a daily basis and
respective activity levels can be compared to average expected
activity levels based on multiple day averages for example to
establish whether the resident is fuctioning at his or her normal
levels. Similarly, feedback from the various physiological sensors
S1 . . . Sn can also be incorporated into the respective profiles
A1, A2 . . . An and provide real time information as to selected
physiological conditions of the resident.
[0051] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
variations and modifications may be effected without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that
no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated
herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course,
intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as
fall within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *